Teri-ginger chicken gets A+ for taste, ease

Teri-ginger chicken made in the slow cooker takes about 3 hours to cook. It is a good option for a day you need to get dinner started early, then forget about it while you move on to other chores or activities.JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Because life is not busy and complicated enough with a full-time job, a toddler, a relationship to keep strong and a house to maintain, I have added more to my already full plate. I have once again joined the ranks of those heading back to school for fall.

It's been an adjustment for me, to be sure. But it also is a big adjustment for Ben, 2, and the Man. Thankfully it's only one class, two nights a week.

Sadly, that one class means that by the time I get home at 7 p.m., I have missed the dinner hour with my family. But even though we are not all at the table at the same time, I still want to make sure there is a good, satisfying meal for everyone.

So I decided I can cook on Monday for Monday and Tuesday nights. Then I can cook on Wednesday for that night and Thursday. Meaning the home-cooked dinners will be there for Ben and his dad at the normal dinner hour, and for me when I get home from class.

Sounds great in theory, right?

But with a little planning and the help of my slow cooker (which will see heavy rotation over the next few months), it should not be all that difficult. Of course, check back with me come November to see how good my idea really is.

For now, I am happy to give it a go. And a recipe sure to pop up on a regular basis will be a ginger-laden teriyaki chicken that I can make in the slow cooker. The prep takes less than 15 minutes; the cooking time is a bit over 3 hours.

The chicken is moist, but not mushy. The sauce, which is simmered down with a little cornstarch at the end of the cooking process, is just thick enough to glaze the dish. Sweet with honey and savory with soy sauce, it gets some zip from the ginger, garlic, green onions and tomato paste.

It keeps nicely in the fridge for the next night's dinner, served with simple steamed rice and broccoli. Plus the leftovers are great lunch food - if there are any leftovers to be had.

It is easy and tasty. And I can make it on my Monday day off and then forget about it while we do laundry or head to the playground. Or while Ben naps and I sneak in a study session.

Teri-ginger chicken

Time: 15 minutes prep; 3 hours, 15 minutes for slow cooking

Yield: 4 servings

4 large, bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed

Black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup honey

½ cup low-sodium soy sauce

½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup plus 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced

4 teaspoons cornstarch

5 tablespoons hot water

Sesame seeds, optional

2 cups cooked rice, white or brown

Directions

Season chicken with black pepper, and place, top side down, in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Teri-ginger chicken made in the slow cooker takes about 3 hours to cook. It is a good option for a day you need to get dinner started early, then forget about it while you move on to other chores or activities. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tomato paste gives the soy-honey sauce a little body and depth. I prefer the tomato paste in the tube since it means I waste less of it, and it is easy to dispense just the amount needed. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Tomato paste and grated fresh ginger start the sauce which will end up being a sweet, tangy vehicle for chicken thighs in the slow cooker. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Honey provides the sweet element of this teriyaki-style sauce for slow-cooked chicken thighs. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Low-sodium soy sauce and chopped green onions balance the sweetness of the honey in a sauce that will be used to cook chicken thighs in the slow cooker. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Since this recipe calls for soy sauce, I skip salting the chicken thighs, but I do season them liberally with freshly ground black pepper. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
After they are seasoned with pepper, I turn the tihighs over so the tops will be down in the sauce. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and you are ready to turn the slow cooker on and walk away for a few hours. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
When the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and add a cornstarch-water mixture to help thicken the sauce. While the sauce continues to cook for about 10 minutes, chop or shred the chicken for serving, discarding the bones. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teri-ginger chicken is served with steamed rice and broccoli with some of the extra sauce and sliced green onions for garnish. If you have them, sprinkle on some sesame seeds. JILL L. REED, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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